The Sixers starting center of the future will not suit up for the season opener due to a knee injury... for the second year in a row.

Nerlens Noel tore his ACL last February and is still rehabbing it in hopes of getting on the court for the 76ers before the New Year. Noel met with Jeff Caplan of NBA.com to discuss his recovery and his plans for Philadelphia. The 19 year-old center says he feels "like my old self, being able to have my explosiveness."

You'd struggle to find another player with Noel's size (6'11") and athletic ability. The former kentucky Wildcat said that he is excited to play in Philadelphia because it fits his game as he is a hard-worker and knows how much Philadelphia fans like hard-working players.

Noel was acquired, along with a 2014 first round pick, from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for All Star point guard Jrue Holiday and the 42nd overall selection (PG Pierre Jackson, Baylor). Noel, 19, was widely considered to be the best prospect in the draft. He is already a plus defender with superior athleticism on the defensive end and extraordinary shot blocking ability (106 blocks last year as a freshman).

He is still raw offensively but many feel he has a high ceiling based solely on his freakish athleticism. For a team lacking athleticism in the front court and looking to escape from mediocrity Noel was an absolute steal for the Sixers.